Chinese Evergreen
Common Name: Chinese Evergreen
Chinese Evergreen care is an easy Aglaonema to grow and care for. If you are looking for a popular houseplant that’s medium in size, an Aglaonema plant may be for you.
To give this Aglaonema plant the best care, it requires well-draining soil, water the plant when the top two inches of the soil is dry, provide it with bright indirect sunlight, temperatures ranging from 68-80F, and high humidity levels.
Quick Care Overview
| Common Name | Chinese Evergreen |
| Scientific Name | Aglaonema |
| Family | Araceae |
| Origin | Southeast Asia |
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Identification | Large, glossy, ovate green leaves with splotches |
| Height | Up to 2 feet tall |
| Soil | Well-draining soil |
| Water | Water when the top two inches of soil is dry |
| Temperature | 68-80F |
| Sunlight | Bright indirect sunlight |
| Toxic to Cats & Dogs | Yes |
| Toxic to Humans | Yes |
| Pests | Scale, mealybugs, fungus gnats, spider mites |
| Diseases | Root rot |
Below we will dive deep into this Chinese Evergreen care guide.
Chinese Evergreen History
Asia native, Chinese Evergreen is a lovely decorative plant with several interesting varieties. Chinese Evergreen is one of the most popular houseplants available on the market that comes in several different attractive colors, from red to silver or dark green. This gorgeous indoor foliage plant is super popular and is a perfect choice for beginners.
Chinese Evergreen Identification
All Chinese Evergreen plants present with glossy, large, ovate leaves that appear on short stems. Chinese Evergreens may come variegated in striped, splotched, or symmetrical patterns or in non-variegated varieties. Chinese Evergreen plants can come in colors such as silver, pink, red, green, or white. Plants typically bloom in spring and will produce a flower spike enclosed by an outer leaf bract, similar to a peace lily.
Chinese Evergreen Growth Facts
This slow-growing, easy to care for plant is wonderful for beginning houseplant collectors and will remain relatively compact in size.
How Big Does a Chinese Evergreen Get?
The Chinese Evergreen can grow up to 2 feet tall to 2 feet wide.
Chinese Evergreen Care
This easy-to-care-for plant is perfect for beginners. However, keep in mind that the lighter the variegation on the foliage of this plant, the more sunlight it will need. Additionally, ensure that you keep this plant warm and moist so that it may thrive.
Chinese Evergreen Soil
Your Chinese Evergreen is not overly picky when it comes to its growing medium. It will prefer well-draining, airy soil. A commercial potting soil with additions of perlite will be perfect for this plant.
Chinese Evergreen Fertilizer
For best results, feed your Chinese Evergreen with slow-release granular fertilizer indicated for houseplants twice a year, at the beginning and end of its growing season. Ensure that you follow all label instructions.
Chinese Evergreen Watering
Your Chinese Evergreen will prefer to be kept consistently moist but not overly saturated with water. It would be best if you allowed the soil of your plant to dry on the top 2-3 inches before rewatering. Watering frequency may be reduced in late fall and winter.
Chinese Evergreen Light Requirements
How much light your Chinese Evergreen will require will depend on its variegation. The lighter the variegation, the more light it will require, while non-variegated varieties can handle low light conditions. However, all varieties will not tolerate intense, direct sunlight, as this will cause foliage to scorch.
Chinese Evergreen Temperature & Humidity
This plant will enjoy being kept in warm, humid conditions. You should not expose your Chinese Evergreen to temperatures below 65 degrees Fahrenheit. This plant also requires humidity levels above-average to thrive. You may quickly increase your home’s humidity level by installing a humidifier or pebble tray.
Repotting Chinese Evergreen
Although this plant likes to remain slightly rootbound, you should repot it every 2-3 years or whenever you see roots poking through its container’s drainage holes. Select a container that is 1-2 inches larger than the previous one, repot your plant, refresh the soil, tamp lightly, water thoroughly, and place in indirect light.
Chinese Evergreen Maintenance & Pruning
Periodically remove any dead, diseased, or discolored foliage using sharp, clean pruning shears. Additionally, blooms may be removed to concentrate the plants energy on its foliage.
Chinese Evergreen Propagation
Chinese Evergreens may be easily propagated through stem cuttings or division. Propagation should be done during the warm growing season. To propagate with stem cuttings, cut a piece of stem that is around 6 inches long using sharp, clean shears. Dip the cut end into the rooting hormone and place it into water under indirect light. Roots should form within a month. After roots have grown a few inches, plant your cutting into soil, water thoroughly, and place in indirect light. To propagate by division, remove the mother plant from the container and separate a clump for repotting. Repot the clump into a new container with fresh soil and water thoroughly, and place in indirect light.
Chinese Evergreen Toxicity
Toxicity to Humans
Chinese Evergreens are considered toxic to humans due to their calcium oxalate content. Keep this plant out of reach of babies and small children.
Toxicity to Cats & Dogs
Unfortunately, the Chinese Evergreen is considered toxic to pets. Do not allow your cat or dog to consume this plant. However, if you suspect that your pet has ingested any portion of this plant, contact your veterinarian or animal poison control.
Chinese Evergreen Problems
Chinese Evergreen Leaves Turning Yellow
Yellowing foliage is often due to either overwatering or underwatering. Additionally, yellowing of foliage may be due to nutrient deficiency.
Chinese Evergreen Leaves Turning Brown
When it come to the Chinese Evergreen, browning of its foliage may be due to low humidity, cold temperatures, underwatering, or chemical buildup from watering with tap water.
Chinese Evergreen Diseases
Chinese Evergreen may experience issues related to overwatering, such as root rot or other fungal issues. Ensure that you do not overwater your plant or allow it to sit in excess water within the plant container’s drainage tray.
Chinese Evergreen Pests
Chinese Evergreen can become susceptible to issues with indoor houseplant pests such as scale, spider mites, or mealybugs. Upon infestation identification, isolate your plant, and treat it with a pesticide such as neem oil or insecticidal soap.
